LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Thomas G. Struzzieri upon the occasion
of his designation as the 2012 Business Person of the Year and Hall of
Fame Inductee by the SUNY New Paltz School of Business

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are enhanced by the concerned and dedicated efforts of business organ-
izations and individuals that generously contribute to the welfare of
the community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Thomas G. Struzzieri upon the occasion of his designation as the 2012
Business Person of the Year and Hall of Fame Inductee by the SUNY New
Paltz School of Business; and
WHEREAS, This special event will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2012, at
the Wiltwyck Golf Club in Kingston, New York; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, Thomas Struzzieri founded what was to become the
largest equine show jumping production company in the world; known for
its innovative leadership, HITS, Inc. organizes, staffs and manages 37
weeks of horse shows with more than 50 Grand Prix events per year
throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, Through Thomas Struzzieri's leadership, HITS has introduced
three of the most important advances in the sport of show jumping,
starting with the Marshall & Sterling League, a national grassroots
league which began in 1991 and now encompasses more than 1,700 events
annually with thousands of members competing for qualified spots in an
annual national championship; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, Thomas Struzzieri created and produced the Pfizer
Million Grand Prix, the largest purse for an equine show jumping event
in the world, and in 2011, he added the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final;
in addition, in 2011 he established the HITS Triathlon Series with
events consisting of five different distances at each of twelve venues
across the country; and
WHEREAS, Since relocating HITS headquarters to Saugerties, Thomas
Struzzieri has been tireless in promoting and improving the community in
which he lives and works; his most recent venture is the redevelopment
of the former Cantine Paper Mill property into Diamond Mills, a 30-room,
boutique hotel, 400-seat banquet facility and 150-seat restaurant; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Struzzieri has been the President and Chief Executive
Officer of HITS since its inception; he has served on the Board of
Directors of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) as well as
its Competition Management Committee; he also served as chairman of USEF
Zone 2, and has been a member of the Ulster County Community College
Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, Affiliated with both the Ulster County Development Corpo-
ration and the United Way of Ulster County Board of Directors, Thomas
Struzzieri has been a member of the Business and Community Leaders Advi-
sory Committee and the Institute of Ecosystem Studies; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his dedication and support, Thomas Struzzi-
eri has been honored by a number of charitable and business organiza-
tions; and
WHEREAS, During the 2005 Business Recognition Awards, HITS received
the Business of the Year Award from the Ulster County Chamber of
Commerce and Ulster County Development Corporation; in addition, Thomas
Struzzieri received the Business Person of the Year Award; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-

tion, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Thomas Struzzieri upon the occasion of his designation as the 2010
Business Person of the Year and Hall of Fame Inductee by the SUNY New
Paltz School of Business; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Thomas Struzzieri.